Yellowstone Jack: Trappers of the Enchanted Ground — page 16: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

14 “She is safe; and with a friend of yours yonder,” : “Then Frank, he was in time to save “Yes, but not think of that now. See if you have escaped serious injury. “T'was | _ anugly fall. If vou have escaped with whole bones, ’twill be almost a miracle. With these words Campbell offered his hand and Ada rose erect, though not without some hitle difficulty. Sle was stiff and sore, though there appeared to be nothing more serious than a few bruises. “Minnie— Frank, she is not— nod dead?” faltered Ada, as she reached Maynard's side. ? “No, thank Heaven! her heart beats— and see! she opens her eyes!” joyously cried the young man. Vernon Campbell turned abruptly | enemy, 1 suppose, since I act as guide hae away, and reaching the boulder that lay | those whe are tracking you to your dea ih. under an overhanging ledge where he had | But I will play my hand openly, since you sought refuge from the pouderee, he picked up his rifie, and first running the wiping-stick down the tube, carefully re- loaded it. Then his eyes rested upon the trio who still knelt beside the abyss, The still fierce wind that poured through the narrow pass carried their words from him, so that he could not hear what they said. Yet their actions spoke plainly, and seemed to give him pain, <A faint sigh parted his lips. sad memories of the dead past arose before him, ‘Time rolled backward and he saw himself a child, careless, happy, hitle dreaming of the future before him. He saw his gentle mother, his bold, hand- some father, his pretty, artless sister, Had she lived, she would have besn about the age of these fair maidens. Then he would have had something to live for. But then came the surprise—the mas- sacre. Hesaw his loved ones fall beneath the hatchet—ho saw their scalps torn from their heads, His eyes filled with blood. But he had drunk deep of revenge; a Blackfoot warrior had fallen for every year of their lives. At this thought the tall, athletic figure grew more erect, his blue eyes gleamed like polished steel, he half raised his rifle as though beholding an enemy before him. it was only Frank and Ada, assistin Minnie toward the sheltering rock, my YELLOWSTONE JACK. . i. the wild fire gradually died out in the scont’s eyes, as he silently made way. “ T haven’t thanked you yet, sir,” began Maynard, when he was rudely inter: rupted. | | a “ Wait until you’re asked. Time enough — then to speak of thanks. Never mind what I have done; forget it, as I shall. Only pray that the time may not eome— when you will curse me for having put out a hand to save you.” - * “What do you meanP you speak strangely. I cannot understand you, Who and what are you?” added Frank, wonderingly. aL “You would not recognize my name— were I to mention it. The Blackfeet know me; they call me Pecanne-puck-on-che- luk—the ‘Man that drinks blood.” But, let that pass. You askwhatlIam. Your * * ,Y . are white, hike myself. Listen now, anc remember that I am giving you 3 chance for life. There, if you interrupt me, I will leave you in the dark, and the death of these women will be upon your head. “Listen. There is a traitor in your camp, His nameis Chris Camp. Hoe is there only to betray you. For this he has led you miles and miles away from the right trail. You are now in the very heart of the Blackfoot country. Camp was placed among you by a man who™ calls himself Mat Mole, who commands the band of white men I guide. We laic the false trails that alarmed your people, and Camp interpreted them accordin | his instructions. Mole has eyes chatlone far ahead. He means to wait 1 ntil failure is impossible; then he will strike,” The Blackfeet will aid him. A strong party joined him only this day, They wi i attack your people soon.” aS “Why do yon tell me this, if you ar the enemy you say ?” ft: ‘“T don’t know—because I am a fool, maybe. But it is true. The blow will. come; the sooner you prepare for it, the better. But there, I wash my hands of the matter, You are warned—actas you please.” | Speaking listlessly, Campbell shouldere¢ his rifle, and facing the bitter storm, took a step toward the pass, when Maynard spoke hastily : Ber ‘“Wait—you admit yourself an enemy —you threaten ur. sy corte Tn ad a. ‘5 7 ; ‘ : - 7 7 ; * |